The Brent Central MP, who faces a tough fight to hold on to her seat against Labour at the next election, lost her job as children and families minister in the September reshuffle.

Teather's announcement that she intends to rebel against the coalition came just one hour before Clegg and David Cameron were due to host a joint press conference designed to show coalition unity or purpose.

She also attacked the "setting up" of a "strivers verses scroungers" narrative that drove "envy and division".

"Families who are earning the least amount of money really struggle to be able to pay for their basics," she said.